Locking device for automobiles.



' I. D. PERRY.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Patented Nov. 12,1918...

' 3 SHEETS SHEET I.

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1. D. PERRY.

LOCKING DEvlcE Foa AuToMoBiLEs.

Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

3 SHEETS SHEET 2- l. D. PERRY. y DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES.

ATION FILED JAN. I4, 1916.

Patented Nov. 12,

3 SHEETS-SHEE 3- LOCKING APFLLC ,ggf

l To all whom t may concern: -f

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I LOCKING DEVECE FOR `AUTOMOBIHESg l Moo sisvnvav ses i-,peeaver Speeieatien ci Letters Patent. atented Nosy. 3 2, QS;

Application lefe'nuary it, i916. erial'o. :72,0531,

Beit knownthat I, ERA D. PERRY, a citizen ot' the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of illinois, have innented new and useful Improvements in Locking Devices for Automobiles, of which the ollowingsis a `ull, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being` had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in locking devices for automobiles, having especial reference to ine-ans` for locking the ysteering wheel, and has for itsv object the production of a device by means of 4which the steering Wheel of an automobile mayv be locked in operative or inoperative position.

A further object is the production oa device that can be adjusted to cars now in use, and one involving' few operative parts.v A further object is the production of a. device that can be cheaply constructed and is' not hable to get out of order.

rEhese and such other objects as may hereinatei appear are attained oy my device,

embodiments or" which are illustrated in the v accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a vertical sectional 4 view o my device in operative position;

Fig. 2 represents a vertical sectional view of my device in inoperative position;

Fig. 3 represents a sectional View on the line 3-3 of Fig. l looking in the direction sol indicated by the arrows;

Fig, 4 represents a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction l. indicated by the arrows; i Fig. 5 represents a vertical sectional view of a modified form of my device in operative position;

Fig. 6 represents a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig". looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 7 represents a sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction indicated by the' arrows.

Lilie numerals or rererence indicate like parts in the several figures-ot the drawings.

Referring'now to the drawings, Srepre- 10.' The top or" the post .is screw threaded as shown at l1 and a'retaining nut`12v is Thefhub eis shown is provided with en ansents the steering post or an automobile havscrewed thereon holding the hub .in place.Y

nular exterior flange 13 having portions-'cut away, as shownat a, 13a, forming in ee'et f' aninterrupted flange. This v`is shownfin cross-section in Fig. 3 and fits' purpose is to holdthe Wheel in operative position. 4The spider 14 of the steering' Wheel; is provided with, an interiorly projecting interrupted ange, the projecting portion'sl of which interlock with the members 13, 132 these members, or teeth, as it were, fitting between or beside theadjacent members 15, 1.5. `Fitting or screwed within the inner rim'A 16 of 1' thespiderand adjacent4 the hub 9 isalock 17, v`the key 18 of which actuate's' the inciting bolt 19, which when `the steeringfwheel'is Yin operative position vfits within the peripheral grooveQO of the hub Aand rests'onthe ennular .flange 21 preferably'. integralfwith' said hub. l 1 `When the machine is stopped' and it isidesired `to cioek it against use., the' lreylyt is inserted in the lock i7 and the' bolt' i9 turned o of the/flange* 2l. Ait the morhentfthe bolt passes oii the fiangepthe spider and 2 wheel drop ,away from therinv 22 and'eut of engagement with the members 13%,# as

the interruptediange 'resting on thesaunular Hangs 2i and Within the annular groove 20. The' lockingboit is then' turned into the locking groove 21a in thel hub below ,the bolt orrwheel', but the annular grooves"` 21e-20 permit a free.'revolution'ofy the l wheel on the steering, post. x Inthis positionit is clear that it is absolutelylirnposeible to operate the steering pst'andconsequentiythe car is safe from theft.

lfn Figs. 5, Gand 7, I haveshown'a moditied form in which the steering post 99 is formed at the top with anl langular portion (shown as octagonal 2e and with ltwo an? below anda corre-'-v nular grooves 25, spending circuler Bange 27 bet'weenthe top portion and the groove and acircular Bange' -between the grooves* 25 and26. The inner rim 16a. of the spider 14 is held in position onthe shaft by means of Va nut 29 screwed on the threaded end 11a andthe upper portion of the bore of the rim below the .shoulder 30mn which the', nut-rests is of an angular cross-section (shown 'as 'Octagsmiling the position shown in lFig. 2-withf longitudinally, that is, impeded, and when in onal) adapted to fit snugly the angular portion Q- t of the steering post, while just below the angular portion of the bore of the rim is circular as shown at 3l, fitting snugly the iiange 27.

The lock 17 fits within the rim and is provided with a locking bolt 19a shown in Fig. as fitting within the groove 25 and resting on the top of the. ange 28.

yThe angular portion of the hub and rim being held in engagement, the steering post may beturned and the automobile steered at will. When the car is stopped and it is desired to lock the same against use or theft, the bolt 19il is turned out of the groove 25,

and the wheel then drops until 19a registers with 26. The bolt 19a is then turned into the groove'Q thus locking the wheel from removal from thel post and yet permitting its free revolution on the post, the same as in the construction shown in Figs. l to '-l.

It is togtbe noted that when the locking bolt is withdrawn, the wheel is free to move its movement is unthe claims the words freely movable occur, it is to be understood that such movement is unimpeded movement.

- Much trouble has been occasioned by thefts in automobiles when the wheel is locked by chain and padlocln-it being a simple matter to break the chain or lock, but with my improved construction without a key there is no danger of the car being put into commission after it is locked, and by the use of a pin cylinder lock, danger of picking the. lock is eliminated.

I am aware that numerous modifications are possible by the use of which the results secured by' my device ,may be attained, but any means for locking the wheel and steering post in operative or inoperative position at will comes within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a device of the class described, the combination with a steering post, a wheel mounted thereon, and movable from a irst operative position to a second inoperative position, means whereby when said wheel is in said rst position rotation of said wheel will cause rotation of said post, and whereby when said wheel is in said second position rotation of said wheel will not cause rotation of said post,and a lock set within said wheel for locking said wheel in operative or inoperative position on said post.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a steering post, a Wheel, a hub interposed between said wheel and steering post and secured to the steering post, said wheel being slidable on said hub from operative to inoperative position, and means i ,celiaci for locking said wheel in operative and inoperative positions c mprising a locking member, and means iiiitegral with said hub for engaging said locking member.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a steering post, a wheel, a hub interposed between said wheel and steering post and secured to the steering post, said wheel being slidable on said hub from operative to inoperative position, and means for locking said Wheel in operative and inoperative positions comprising a locking member mounted within said wheel, and means integral with said hub for engaging said locking member.

Ll. In a device of the class described, the combination with a steering post, a hub rigidly mounted thereon, a wheel mounted on said hub, said wheel being slidable on said hub from operative to inoperative position, and means for locking said wheel in either of said positions comprising` a locking member, and a liange projecting from said hub for engagement with said locking member.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with a steering post, a hub rigidly mounted thereon, a wheel mounted on said hub, said wheel being slidable on said hub from operative to inoperative position, and means for locking said wheel in either of said positions comprising a locking member, and a flange integral with said hub for engaging said locking member, said hub having a mutilated flange and said wheel having portions for engagement with said mutilated flange.

6. In a. device of the class described, the combination with a steering post, a hub mounted thereon, a plurality of flanges eX- tending from the outer face of said hub, one of said flanges being out away forming` an interrupted flange. a wheel mounted on said hub, interiorly projecting flanges on the inner bore of said wheel adapted to be thrown into and out of engagement with said interrupted flange on the hub and locking means for holding said parts in operative or inoperative position.

7. In a device f the class described, the combination with a steering post, a hub mounted thereon, a plurality of flanges eX- tending from the outer face o' said hub, one of said Ilan-ges beingl cut away forming an interrupted flange, a wheel mounted on said hub. interiorly projecting flanges on the inner bore of said wheel adapted to be thrown into and out of engagement with said interrupted iange on the hub, and locking means mounted in said wheel. said locking means being adaptedto hold said wheel in operative or inoperative position on said hub.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with a steering post having a threaded top, a hub keyed thereon, a wheel means for holding said Wheel in either of said two )ositions comprising tiro shoulders and a loclting member movable into engagement with one of said shrnilders to hold the Wheel in one position and 1with the other et said shoulders to hold thtl wheel in the other position.

18. ln a steering` deriee tor vehicles, a steerin` post, a steering wher-l mounted to 1o more longitudinally with respect to the axis of said post from a first to a second position, meansl whereby when' said wheel in said first position rotation of said `wheel will, cause rotation ot said post, and whereby when said wheel is in said second position rotation of said wheel will not cause rotation of said post com prising' ltwo sets of meinhers moved into and out of engagement with each other bythe longitudinal movement ot' '20 the Wheel, and releasable retaining means for holding said Wheel in tither ot sai@L two positions, Said wheel being freely movable longitudinally with respect to the axis ot said post when said retaining means are released.

19. n a steering device for rehicles, a steering post, a steeiing.n wheel mounted to more longitudinally with respect to said post from a first to a second position, means whereby when said Wheel is in said irst po-` sition rotation of said Wheel will cause rota.-

tion of said post, and whereby when said u'heel is in said second position rotation ot said wheel will not cause rotation of said post, and means for holding said wheel in either ot said tiro positions comprisingv tiro shoulders and a key operated loe-hing' inem-- herv niounted on 'the hub ot the 'Wh/.ml inorable into engagement Wit h one oit sa' ,t shoul- `ders to hold the wheel 'in one po ,on and 40 with the other oit said shoulders to luid the wheel in the other position.

20. In a steering device for Vehicles, a 'steering post. a steering' wheel mounted to move longitudinally With respect to said post from a first to a second position, means whereby when said wheel is in said firstposition rotation of said wheel 'will cause rota tion of said post. and whereby When said Wheel is in said second position rotation ot 5o said wheel will not cause rotation ot said post, and ineai'is tor holding said wheel in either of said two positions comprising tuffo shoulders and a hey operated locking mein loer mounted on the wheel ouvrable into gagement with one ot said shoulders to hold the Wheel in one iiosititm and with the other ot said shoulders to hold the wheel in the other position.

2l. Steering apparatus embodying",

80 combination. a shaft. a, groored collar keyed to the shaft. a spolted wheel shittably and idly mounted upon the shaft. the Wheel being ehambered in its hub and spoled pon tions, and arranged to receive the collar within its hub-chamber, interchangeable elim-h elements carried by the wheel and collar for lntei-lockingthe wheel and shaft when the wheel is shifted to a definite position longiudimdly ot the shaft, and means positioned within the Chamber-ed portion of the wheel `'or positirely holding; the Wheel in either loi-king or unlocking position upon the sha tt.

Steering apparatus embodying, in combination. a shaft. a rhamhered wheel shittably and idly mounted upon the shaft, interen@agreable clutch elements within the chambered portion of the wheel carried by the 'wheel and shaft and ar anged to interloelr the wheel and shaft when the wheel is shifted to a definite. position longitudinally ot' the shaft.` and means positioned Within the chambered portion ot' the wheel for normally holding the wheel in locking position upon the shaft.

23. In a steeringi device t'or vehicles, a steering post, a steering wheel mounted to more longitudinally with respect to the axis of said post from a first to a second position, means whereby when said wheel is in said first position rotation ot' said wheel will cause rotation of said post, and whereby when said Wheel is in said second position rotation of said Wheel will not cause rotation of said post, and releasable retaining means for holding said wheel in either ot' said two posit-ions, said wheel being' capable of being freely or manually lifted or dropped longitudinally with respect to said post when said retaining means are released.

ln a steering` device for Vehicles, a. steering` post. a steering wheel mounted to more longitudinali with res )ect to the axis i of said post from a first to a second position, means whereby when said wheel is in said first position rotation of said Wheel Will cause rotation of said post, and whereby when said wheel is in said second position rotation of said Wheel Will not cause rotation of said post, composing members moved into and out of engagement With each otherbv' 'the longitudinal movement of the Wheel, and releasable retainingi meansfoi holding said wheel in either of said two positions, said Wheel beingrapalole of being freely lifted or dropped longitudinallywith respect. to said post when said retainingmeans are release l.

in witness whereof. l have hereunto silbseribed my name in presence of two Wi.t nesses.

RA D. PERRY.

VVit-nesses:

GEORGE V. DOMARUS, J r., GEORGE GUTHIER.

iis 

